<Think of that person’s face. Does your heart suddenly race? Do you feel a soft, fluffy sensation inside? Congratulations. You’re in love.>
Sushia threw the romance book aside.
After reading for about five minutes, her head started to throb.
The more she read, the more Sushia felt like she was being cornered.
The absurd notion that she had fallen in love with Ascal Erindale―
“That’s impossible. I’ve always been fine until now. Could it be some kind of magic?”
The pages of the fallen romance book fluttered.
<Even someone you’ve always seen as a friend or colleague can change with a small trigger. Love can bloom from something as simple as them covering you with a blanket or giving you a gift.>
A trigger.
――I’m in love with Ascal.“Ahhh! It’s coming up again! Get out of my head, please!”
Sushia questioned herself.
What if her heart starts acting strange after seeing someone else confess?
A gust of wind flipped the pages of the book.
<Have you fallen for someone who already has a lover? It’s okay. Surprisingly, this happens more often than you’d think. A man you had no interest in while he was single might suddenly seem attractive once he’s taken.>
The book was reading her mind.
Intrigued, Sushia picked the book back up and turned the pages.
<The more a man like that is worth pursuing. Now, let me tell you how to steal a man who already has a girlfriend...>
“Gasp!”
Sushia slammed the book shut.
―12 Ways to Steal That Man.
“Why is a book like this in the library?”
It was scandalous. Sushia hid the book in a place where no one would find it.
Casting one last glance at the book, Sushia sighed.
<!-- in_post_1 -->
“I should just go on a date.”
She was determined to find a boyfriend, return to the evaluation department, and flaunt him in front of Ascal and Lia.
‘Why did you have to show me that scene... I’ll get my revenge.’
She was angry.
Though something felt out of order, Sushia decided to ignore it.
****
And so, Sushia decided to go on a blind date.
If anyone marries her, they would immediately become the Duke of Senestia.
It was like winning the lottery. Naturally, the number of men applying for the blind date was overwhelming.
It was even featured in the Empire’s newspaper.
<Duchess of Senestia’s Proclamation: Men who are worthy of me, come to the House of Senestia!>
Of course, Sushia never said such a thing.
Regardless, the news that Sushia was going on a blind date spread so far that even Jax, who ran the local butcher shop, had heard about it.
“If you succeed, it’s a complete life reversal.”
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to have wealth, honor, and a woman all at once.”
“I heard Lady Sushia almost became a saintess. She must be beautiful, right?”
The venue for the blind date was the Senestia house in the capital of the empire. With great ambition, all the men headed toward the Senestia mansion.
The era of the grand blind date had begun.
――You have a criminal record, disqualified.
――You’re too short, disqualified.
――You’re balding, disqualified.
――Take care of your current wife, disqualified.
****
However, the wall of reality was high.
Most didn’t even pass the first round and returned home dejected.
<Out of 1,123 participants, 512 were disqualified.>
<Remaining: 611.>
The remaining 611 were granted permission to step foot into the Senestia Duke’s estate.
The vast courtyard of the ducal house.
<!-- in_post_2 -->
As expected from the most prestigious noble family in the empire, the courtyard was adorned with extravagant decorations and rare flowers.
“If I pass the test, this entire estate will be mine. Hehe.”
Knight Randeon was full of ambition.
He glanced around at the other men who had passed the first round and was convinced he was the best among them.
After a short while, the head butler stepped up onto the platform.
“Everyone has gathered. We will now begin the second round.”
And then, the servants approached the participants with containers in their hands.
“Please draw a piece of paper from the container.”
Randeon, though puzzled, drew a piece of paper.
It was white.
‘Is this simple thing really the second test?’
Looking to his side, he saw a man with a protruding belly draw a black piece of paper, stroking his chin in confusion.
‘The colors are different. Why?’
Once all the participants had drawn their papers, the butler spoke.
“Those of you who drew black papers may return home.”
Murmurs filled the air.
Randeon, holding his white paper, sighed in relief.
But he still couldn’t shake off the nagging question. What was the meaning behind this paper?
The men who drew black papers turned red with anger and protested.
“We came all this way, and now you’re sending us back empty-handed? Give us a proper explanation!”
The butler replied with almost eerie simplicity.
“The second test is one of luck. In a way, everything in this world depends on luck. You simply didn’t have any.”
With this test, it seemed that around 500 people were about to be eliminated. Naturally, complaints started pouring out from all directions.
Among them were nobles and renowned knights, and a rebellious atmosphere began to form around those who refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the test.
<!-- in_post_3 -->
“We cannot accept this. Bring forth a different test!”
The situation was on the verge of turning the participants into a full-blown mob. The butler coldly scanned them with his eyes.
Then.
“If you’re eliminated, you should just go home, wash your feet, and sleep. Why are there so many complaints? Got too much energy? If you’re that upset, why don’t you take me on?”
A man appeared, casually picking at his ear. In his hand was a white slip of paper.
It was Arthur Debrue.
The champion of the jousting tournament and a prominent candidate to be the next Swordmaster.
There were even rumors that he frequently visited the crown prince’s office.
“Haha. Luck is indeed an important factor. I, Thomas Villane, will accept the result.”
“So will I.”
“Hm.”
Most of the participants slunk away, disappearing quietly. That was how much authority Arthur Debrue’s name now carried in the capital.
“Thank you, Baron Debrue. You’ve saved us some trouble.”
“What’s the third test?”
“A simple one. The remaining participants will compete in a tournament, and only the top four will earn the right to have a direct meeting with Lady Sushia.”
A martial arts tournament.
Simple, and exactly to his liking.
Arthur Debrue had no doubt.
No doubt that he would win.
‘Son, soon you’ll have a new stepmother.’
‘Arthur Senestia. ’
‘Not a bad ring to it.’
****
Arthur advanced to the upper rounds in the blink of an eye. Only one match remained to reach the top four.
Standing in the dueling arena, Arthur narrowed his eyes. His next opponent had a familiar face.
More than just familiar—it was like seeing his own reflection in the opponent’s face.
“Son, what are you doing here?”
“...A lot has happened. I just came to see Sushia, but she wouldn’t listen to me.”
Ascal Erindale.
His next opponent was none other than his own son.
“Should I forfeit now?”
“No, let’s have a proper match. My old wound still aches whenever it rains.”
Arthur still hadn’t forgotten the battle by the sea.
Even though he was defeated by a cowardly pincer attack, a loss was a loss.
“Then here I come.”
“Come on.”
Arthur knew his son’s skills had improved significantly lately. But to him, Ascal was still far from his level.
Arthur was confident of his victory.
-Clang!
And in a single clash, that confidence wavered.
“What... happened to you?”
“There are things that are hard to explain.”
Arthur adjusted his grip on his sword.
He couldn’t tolerate anyone stronger than himself.
A cold hostility flickered in his eyes.
“You… you’re stronger than me.”
And then, Arthur charged into the gap with hostility. In this moment, the opponent before him was no longer his son, but an enemy he had to defeat.
However.
-Clang―!
Arthur’s sword fell to the ground.
“I’ve lost.”
“It was a good match.”
“No, it was one-sided. Speak properly.”
“Yes. I completely bested you.”
“...”
Arthur bit his lip as he spoke.
“You’ve broken through the wall.”
“It seems that way.”
“Congratulations.”
His son had become a Swordmaster.
Before him!!
“Go...! Now that it’s come to this, take the House of Senestia in my place. You will become the duke, Ascal!”
Arthur collapsed to the ground, and Ascal walked past him. Ascal approached the butler and conveyed his decision.
The butler nodded.
“What did you do?”
“I forfeited.”
“Why?”
“I told you, I didn’t come for the blind date. I came to see Sushia.”
“You can see her in bed, too.”
“If I did that, Lia would lock me up. Forever.”
The third test.
The martial tournament was over.
Four contestants advanced, but one withdrew.
Remaining participants― three.
1. The handsome redhead― Ignis Chesterfield.
2. The middle-aged man with a mysterious past― Alexis Drummond.
3. The cheerful blond boy― Lone DeMarco.
****
“So these are the finalists, Miss. Do any of them catch your eye?”
Dressed in an elegant gown, with her hair done up, Sushia gazed at the three men in the drawing room.
Ignis caught her eye and smiled charmingly.
Alexis looked at her with a melancholic gaze.
Lone beamed brightly.
Which one would Sushia choose?
“They’re all very handsome. More than I deserve, really.”
But Sushia’s eyes were indifferent as she spoke.
“But still, I don’t think any of them are right for me. I’m sorry for making you come all this way for nothing.”
Correct answer: They’re all rejected.
Sushia rested her chin on her hand and sighed.
“Are you alright, Miss? You had high expectations, didn’t you?”
“Now that I think about it, my only expectation was that once I had the blind date, I could return to the evaluation department. It wasn’t about the blind date itself.”
For Sushia, the evaluation department was that significant.
“Is there perhaps a particular type you’re drawn to? I can search again.”
“Hmm... someone with black hair, a sharp nose, a bit clumsy like they have a hole in their side, but sometimes serious, competent enough, and lucky too... gasp.”
Sushia swallowed her words.
She had just described Ascal.
Her ideal type had been overtaken without her realizing it.
“There was one contestant just like that.”
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“Really? Where is he now?”
“He forfeited, but said he wanted to see you. I’ll call him.”
The butler left the room.
Sushia stared expectantly at the door.
‘Finally, my destined man is...’
And then the door opened.
“Huh? Red hair?”
It wasn’t the person Sushia had been hoping for.
One of the earlier disqualified participants, Ignis Chesterfield, stood before her.
“I can’t go back empty-handed. I must take over the Senestia family, even if it means using force.”
Ignis raised his hand to the eye covered by his eyepatch.
“The wound I received from the Empire still burns. Lady, you must become my prisoner.”
Ignis, or rather, the “Last Leg of the Spider,” also known as the One-Eyed, slowly walked toward Sushia. She took a step back.
“P-please! Someone help me!”
“It’s useless to call for help. I’ve already cast a soundproofing spell.”
Sushia pointed behind him.
“B-behind you!”
“What kind of trick is this? It won’t work on me.”
“B-black hair!”
-Thud—!
Ignis collapsed where he stood. Behind him, a man with black hair came into view.
It was Ascal Erindale.
“Seeing you is always such a hassle, Sushia.”
“Minister..”
Sushia looked at Ascal with eyes full of emotion, but her face quickly turned serious.
“Why haven’t you been coming to the evaluation department lately? You’re close to being reported for absenteeism.”
“It’s all because of you.”
“Why?”
Sushia puffed out her cheeks, looking slightly annoyed, and simply said,
“You’re just too handsome. I give up.”
Acceptance… it was the only right action.
In the end, Sushia admitted it.
She was, indeed, in love.
****
At the Evaluation Department.
“Eek! Who are all these people!?”
“Oh, those are the lion tribe warriors I hired on a temporary contract. If walking gets tough, just ask them to carry you.”
A hundred lion warriors, bare-chested, were wandering around the department. They were staying temporarily until they captured the ancient dragon.
“If you ever need anything heavy lifted, just ask them. They’re strong.”
“What in the world happened while I was gone…”
“Nothing much.”
Just pulling out a legendary sword, slaying ancient monsters, watching a pegasus evolve into a golden pegasus, seeing Fer become a dragon steed, raising a celestial turtle, and hiring the lion tribe for the evaluation department.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
“A… a consultation room? When did that show up?”
“Oh, not too long ago. Why don’t you check it out?”
Sushia opened the door to the consultation room. As soon as she did, a beautiful blonde woman greeted her with a smile.
“Welcome, dear lamb. What seems to be troubling you?”
“…Saintess?”
“Please call me teacher here. Oh, my, look at the time.”
With a smile, Eileen, the saintess, left the consultation room for the day. Her destination was Haven Academy.
“Uh, is it okay for a witch and a saintess to be in the same place?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Ugh… never mind.”
Sushia opened the door to the office. It was a familiar place.
“Welcome back, Sushia.”
Lia bowed her head politely.
“I’m back.”
Sushia grabbed a cookie from the tray.
“Today’s cookie… 9 out of 10. If it had been just a little sweeter, it would’ve been a perfect score. So close.”
“Did you come back just to critique cookies?”
“I am an evaluation department employee, aren’t I?”
Sushia smiled.
As she was laughing, a book fell out of her bag.
“…Wait, since when do you read books?”
“What do you take me for? I’m the daughter of a cultured Duke family. Of course, I read books.”
Sushia, who had been speaking so confidently, immediately crouched down to pick up the book in a panic.
‘No one saw that, right?’
She shoved the book deep into her bag, hiding it from view.
The title of the book read:
―12 Ways to Steal That Man.
Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance.
And finally.
It was the ‘Awakening’.
– – – The End of The Chapter – – –
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